By Annemarie van Oosten, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
In today’s digital age, the ability to navigate and utilise digital technologies effectively is crucial. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with digital platforms, understanding and measuring digital competence has never been more important. Recent headlines have highlighted the dire consequences of lacking digital skills, from cybersecurity breaches affecting millions to misinformation spreading like wildfire on social media. Scientific studies have echoed these concerns, revealing that inadequate digital competence can hinder personal and professional growth, exacerbate social inequalities, and even threaten democratic processes. Against this backdrop, a recent study published in PLOS ONE, titled “Developing the DigIQ: A Measure of Digital Competence,” by de Vries, Piotrowski, and de Vreese, introduces an innovative tool designed to assess digital competence comprehensively.
The need for a holistic understanding of digital competence across all ages
Digital competence is not a monolithic concept; it encompasses a wide array of skills and knowledge areas. It’s not just about knowing how to use a computer or navigate the internet; it’s about mastering a diverse set of abilities that enable individuals to thrive in a digital environment. Previous measures of digital competence often fall short in capturing the full spectrum of digital skills. Many existing tools focus narrowly on specific facets, such as technical abilities or information management, neglecting other critical areas like communication, content creation and safety. Additionally, some measures were tailored to particular age groups, primarily targeting younger populations and overlooking the digital competence of older adults. These limitations hindered a holistic understanding of digital competence across diverse demographics. To address these limitations in the scientific literature, the DigIQ was created to assess digital competence in individuals aged 10 and older.
The nine dimensions of digital competence
To develop the DigIQ, the researchers conducted extensive literature reviews, expert consultations and empirical testing. They identified nine key dimensions of digital competence. For instance, they identified two online information skills (strategic and critical), which involve the ability to search, evaluate, and organise digital information effectively. These skills are crucial in an age where information overload is a common challenge, and discerning credible sources from unreliable ones is essential. Safety is another critical dimension, focusing on understanding and implementing practices to protect personal data, privacy, and security online. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the importance of digital safety cannot be overstated. The scale also measures skills and knowledge related to online health and wellbeing, which are essential in an era marked by increasing social media addiction and declining mental health. Other dimensions that were identified are sustainable (or green) digital skills, problem-solving, communication (or ‘netiquette’), content creation and AI skills.
Through rigorous testing and validation, the researchers demonstrated that the DigIQ reliably and effectively captures the diverse skills and knowledge required to thrive in the digital age. By encompassing these diverse dimensions, the DigIQ provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s digital competence, reflecting the varied and interconnected skills required to navigate the digital landscape effectively.
Overall, people of all ages understand the items of the DigIQ similarly, with the exception of digital content-creation skills. This may reflect the differences in how generations have been taught digital content creation in educational settings. This insight is crucial for educators and policymakers, as it highlights the need for age-specific approaches when assessing and developing digital skills in areas such as digital creativity.
Where do we go next?
The development of the DigIQ marks a pivotal step in understanding and measuring digital competence. However, the researchers emphasise the need for ongoing refinement and adaptation of the tool to keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Additionally, digital skills are assessed through self-report items, which may not always accurately represent individuals’ actual abilities. An extended version of the DigIQ is currently in development, designed to increase its relevance in the current digital climate by including assessments of generative AI skills and knowledge and transactional abilities necessary for functioning in a digital society. This version will also incorporate performance tests to measure digital skills more objectively.
The publication of “Developing the DigIQ: A Measure of Digital Competence” in PLOS ONE represents a significant advancement in the field of digital literacy. As we continue to navigate the complexities of the digital world, tools such as the DigIQ will play a crucial role in fostering digital competence and ensuring that individuals are equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital society.
You can find the full publication here.
Author
Annemarie van Oosten, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
